Connor Jessup, 22, is a Canadian actor, best known for his role as Ben Mason on TNT’s Falling Skies. In 2012, Jessup’s performance in Blackbird earned him a “Rising Star” accolade, and he was later named one of Variety’s “Actors to Watch”. (Getty)

Look to the Stars

The Partnership for a Healthier America’s seventh annual summit will convene some of the nation’s most influential leaders in the fight to end childhood obesity.

The summit provides a unique opportunity for business and industry leaders to sit at the table with their nonprofit, academic and government counterparts to address major considerations for the health of our nation’s youth. This year’s summit will address the negative health impacts of childhood adversity, the role of entrepreneurs in shaping the future of food, as well as:

• The link between access to food and health;
• The role of accessible parks and recreational facilities in fostering healthy lifestyles;
• Unique public-private partnerships working to address diabetes in urban settings;
• Building a culture of wellness and the health, emotional and academic benefits that come from teaching a child to cook;
• Barriers to physical activity for girls of color;
• Changing the school food environment;
• Industry solutions to reducing sugar consumption; and
• The latest science behind new, emerging pathways to health.

Twenty years after the event that launched America’s Promise Alliance, the nation’s largest network dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth is marking the occasion with a letter to America authored by its Chair Alma Powell and Founding Chair General Colin Powell to focus the nation on the needs of young people.

Our Cause: A Letter to America, released this week, notes that while there has been good progress over the years, the hard truth is that for too many young people, equal opportunity, a real chance to pursue their American Dream and reach their full potential often seems unrealistic and out of reach.

“As we reflect on 20 years of work with organizations, schools and communities, we thought now was a good time to make a new appeal to the country,” said Alma Powell. “We’ve learned so much about what works to help young people, but we still have much more work to do when it comes to providing more opportunities to young people. The letter to America is our call to all Americans to join this cause with us. Only an army of caring adults can help us to reach more young people. And we can all do something to support young people, starting today.”

In 1997, all the living presidents of the United States came together at the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future in an unprecedented move of bipartisan support and collaboration on behalf of America’s youth. Continuing in that same spirit, the Powell’s are urging individuals of all parties and all walks of life to come together to support this issue.

“While we have seen progress, the daily reality of at-risk children can seem like a conspiracy to destroy their dreams,” wrote Mrs. Powell and Gen. Powell in the letter.

“Improving the lives and futures of children is a moral, social, and economic imperative in our country,” they wrote. “The well-being of children should be the common-ground commitment of our national life.”

To read the full letter and learn more about how you can join the #Recommit2Kids campaign, visit www.Recommit2Kids.org.

New York Women in Communications (NYWICI) will present the 2017 Matrix Awards during a luncheon at the Sheraton New York Times Square on Monday April 24, 2017, to honor seven extraordinary female leaders in the communications industry, as ‘Women Who Connect the World.’

The ceremony, hosted by Hearst Magazines, will be emceed by Katie Couric, award-winning journalist and bestselling author.

The Matrix Awards is recognized by the communications community as one of the most prestigious events of the year. More than 1,000 people are expected to gather to celebrate seven brilliant women at the pinnacle of their careers in the communications industry. Previous award recipients include Meryl Streep, Arianna Huffington, Sheryl Sandberg, Tina Fey, Diane Sawyer and Joanna Coles, to name a few.

“We are thrilled to recognize these seven distinguished women for their significant accomplishments and contributions,” said Jacki Kelley, president, New York Women in Communications and chief operating officer, Bloomberg Media, Bloomberg LP. “These leaders are truly ‘Women Who Connect the World,’ and we look forward to ushering them into the Matrix Awards Hall of Fame, joining the ’Who’s Who’ of female communications greats.”

“In this moment of enormous change in every area of media, one thing is consistent: the incredible work done by women. Today’s Matrix honorees are outstanding professionals in their fields, and their contributions to our industry, and to our culture, make them role models for us all,” said Joanna Coles, chief content officer, Hearst Magazines.

Proceeds from the Matrix Awards go towards a full range of scholarships and educational programs for women, whether they are just beginning or are embarking on a career transition. To date, NYWICI’s Foundation, the largest for communications scholarships for women in the country, has given more than $1.5 million dollars in scholarships.

TICKETS: Individual tickets, tables and information on sponsorships and program advertising opportunities are now available at www.nywici.org.

With inner city public school music programs on the chopping block, renowned alternative blues / hip-hop artist, G. Love, will headline an intimate evening at The Cutting Room in support of one of his favorite nonprofits – Little Kids Rock.

The organization is hosting its 3rd Annual Spring Jam event at the New York City rock club, which will also feature Great Caesar, a six-piece, Brooklyn-based band bringing together chamber rock and indie soul, as well as students from local public schools who participate in Little Kids Rock’s popular music programs.

Now in its third year, Spring Jam is an opportunity for fans to enjoy great music in an up-close, relaxed environment that showcases the musicians and the cause. Proceeds from the annual concerts have helped Little Kids Rock provide music instruction, instruments, and curricula to thousands of children in public schools where music education may have been forced to take a back seat due to tightening budgets.

The concert, generously sponsored this year by Digital Daruma, will open its doors at 6:30 p.m. Limited VIP tickets, including reserved table and open bar for the evening, are available in advance for $250-$1,500. Advanced general admission tickets are $40. To reserve tickets, visit www.littlekidsrock.org/springjam.

Apr 18, 2017 07:30 am
Help Heal Veterans (Heal Vets), the nation’s largest provider of free therapeutic arts-and-craft kits to U.S. veterans and active duty military personnel, has launched a new public service announcement (PSA) to raise awareness about the healing power of craft therapy.

“It is an honor to partner with Heal Vets for this PSA, which aims to raise awareness around the benefits of craft therapy for both the mind and soul,” said Gossett.

Gossett, who has starred in several military-themed movies, such as “An Officer and a Gentleman” and the “Iron Eagle” film series, says his experiences have allowed him to get a taste of the commitment that American veterans exhibit when they volunteer for military service. It’s that commitment that has inspired him to give back to our nation’s veterans, including through this PSA.

Help Heal Veterans, a nonprofit organization founded during the Vietnam War, supplies free arts-and-crafts kits to injured servicemen and women and U.S. veterans. The kits often become a part of the patient’s treatment plan, giving them a creative outlet along with tangible therapeutic and rehabilitation benefits. The kits improve fine motor skills, cognitive functioning, memory improvement, anger issues and dexterity. Help Heal Veterans has distributed more than 29 million kits since 1971 from hundreds of craft categories, including woodworking, leather, models, and a variety of needle crafts, among many others.

“As the CEO of Help Heal Veterans, I’ve witnessed firsthand the tremendous healing power of craft therapy for our veterans. But, many veterans don’t know about craft therapy or where to get our services, which is why this PSA is so important,” said Joe McClain, USN (Retired), CEO of Help Heal Veterans. “We are grateful for opportunities like this PSA with Louis that allow us to reach and help more vets.”

The PSA will air in select markets throughout the country.

For more on Help Heal Veterans extensive arts and crafts program, visit HealVets.org or call 888-567-VETS (8387).

Apr 18, 2017 03:45 pm
Watch The Duke of Cambridge and Lady Gaga join forces to encourage more people to have an open conversation about mental health as part of the Heads Together #OKtosay film series. This film shows their conversation over FaceTime from their respective homes in London and Los Angeles.